Can looking at porn online be harmful to the computer?

Question

Does doing this allow more chances for viruses and such. I have a live in relative that is doing this a lot. I hate it.

Answer 1

yes it can

Answer 2

Watching pictures or watching videos online isnt harmful to your computer. Its whats attached or in placement of that could do as much damage as the mischievious vandal is capable of.

For instance -- best way to trick people into downloading virus' spyware, rootkits, is to create a legitimate site. Something like porn, or serials, or even music.
What they do is offer genuine downloads to entice you into thinking hey this site is cool, I can get alot of stuff here.
Well, true, and you can get more than you bargained for.

A strong rootkit will allow someone to piggyback off youre computer, and either go out and cause mischief as if it was you, or could just snoop around and rumage through and see if they find anything useful to use from your hard drive.
Steal your passwords, change your passwords, gather personal information, even create an administrator account and lock you out of your own computer.

So, its always a good thing to be careful what youre clicking on.
If youre lucky it will only be spyware, maybe some innocent little trojan. But understand that the threats for more are out there, and will consume the foolish who dont know any better.

So, while you are clickign away on real pictures or downloading whatever, think about this.....that one replacement file, thats really a virus is waiting there. When you click it among the 40 others youve already clicked, its too late.

Time to reformat the drive and cancel the credit cards.

The threat is real.
So use common sense.

Get a program that limits the house guests accessibility to programs system settings and Id say time usage.
As well as keep your firewall, spyware, anti virus up to date.

you could even get one of the programs that will monitor the computer in the background, and email you a screenshot every few minutes.
Theres tons out there.

Child monitoring programs <---- google search

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

Im pretty sure thats what happened to my laptop the other user that "clears his history everytime" looks at porn and now my laptop says I have the bloodhound virus and I don't know how else it happened. Try to find theparental controls on your computer and block all porn.
And for USER with the other comment on giving you an epileptic seizure, I hope you have just one in your life and you can see what my 18 month old daughter goes through GROW UP!!! sorry I had to use your question for that I don'y usually do that but that hit a nerve.

Answer 5

Depending on how your computer is configured it could allow some software to attack your computer. You more likely (unless he\she downloads) will end up with spyware and adware. You should have an antivirus, a firewall (software and hardware) and several antispyware programs. These can all be obtained by freeware.
you can also use filtering software to block access to most sights. I have found the best way is to buy them a cheap $50 computer LOCK YOURS DOWN and let them have them own perverted fun. That way you computer is not harmed.

Freeware >>>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic3616.html

Answer 6

Some of those porn site has got viruses which are harmful to the computer,if u click on some of this virus mistakenly, no antivirus will attack the virus, some virus don't have a cure.
There are porn links on the internet,if u click on them, they'll save a server in your computer which might cause your computer to be porn empire.

Answer 7

Porn sites are not run by the most reputable citizens. One of the many ways to make a profit from a web site is to sell information about those who visit the site. This is easiest to do if they infect your computer with spy ware etc. I wouldn't trust any of those types of sites to be honest. After all if you experience viruses after visiting their site who are you going to tell? If the computer you are concerned about is a communal computer then you need to invest in quality computer condoms.

Answer 8

Most of the porn sites are too engaging and seducing that intends people to lead to that vulnerable area. You may suggest your relative to join few social networking sites in place that have real fun to make friendship with like-minded people.

Answer 9

most of the porn sites are harmful for both the machine and the user

Answer 10

yes it is very harmful, its okay to look at porn but when u download the videos u also download this virus called Spyware and it slows ur computer down until it completely eats away all the speed.

Answer 11

Ya it can, if you don't know what you're doing, it's pretty easy to pick up a virus if you're downloading videos. Make sure your virus detection program is up to date, and find a nice reliable porn site for your relative.